FAI Guided Tours of the Abbey of Santi Nazario e Celso

A medieval jewel on the banks of the Sesia

In the small town of San Nazzaro Sesia, in the province of Novara, lies one of the most fascinating monastic complexes in Piedmont: the Benedictine Abbey of Santi Nazario e Celso. The FAI Novara Delegation opens it to the public with exclusive guided tours, offering a unique opportunity to discover the centuries-old history of this site where art, faith, and popular tradition have intertwined for nearly a thousand years.

A thousand years of history

The abbey was founded in 1040 by Bishop Riprando of Novara and his brothers, the Counts of Biandrate, who entrusted it to the Benedictine monks. The imposing square-based bell tower, a powerful and isolated structure dating back to the late 11th century, survives from the original Romanesque layout. The current church, in Lombard-Gothic style, was built in the 15th century by Abbot Antonio Barbavara, to whom the street leading to the complex is dedicated today.

The frescoed cloister

The highlight of the visit is the famous 15th-century cloister, decorated with a cycle of paintings depicting episodes from the life of Saint Benedict. The frescoes in the upper loggia represent one of the most precious examples of late Gothic painting in the Novara area and are the reason why the abbey is considered an extraordinary example of medieval religious architecture.

Exclusive access

FAI tours offer a rare opportunity: in addition to the cloister and the church, volunteers accompany visitors into a private section of the complex, normally closed to the public, where works by contemporary artist Daniela Grifoni are on display. An unexpected dialogue between medieval architecture and modern art.

History, art, and spirituality

Led by volunteers from the FAI Novara Delegation, participants enjoy a journey filled with stories, anecdotes, and artistic details about the monastery. The requested contribution supports the activities of the Fondo per l'Ambiente Italiano, the association that has been protecting and promoting Italy's cultural and landscape heritage for decades. An unmissable event for those who love the Middle Ages, art, and the hidden treasures of the province of Novara.